A Ledger Blog

News, notes and observations about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Anytime a coach brings up Wally Pipp, you know it’s not going to be good. But there was Tampa Bay coach Lovie Smith saying defensive end Da’Quan Bowers or any player wants to get Wally Pipped. Bowers had impressed coaches during the offseason and early during training camp. But Bowers suffered a groin injury following the first preseason game and has not been on the field since. “Every day you don’t practice, you’re hurting your chances,” coach Lovie Smith said.… Read More »

The leather was flying Wednesday as the Tampa Bay Bucs had their most physical practice of training camp. Not that the other days weren’t as physical but players were hitting a bit, taking running backs and receivers to the ground and having a few scuffles. During one scuffle, most of the offensive players rushed over together. No real punches were thrown or connected. Just a little bonding session. It was kind of good to see. Bucs Sign Cornerback Corners Alterraun… Read More »

Anthony Gaitor was a player most people liked. Despite his size (5-foot-10, 182-pounds), people loved Gaitor’s toughness and ability to be around the ball. When the Bucs took him in the seventh round in 2011, no one expected much but Gaitor proved himself. However, injuries limited him to 12 games over that span and he was released. With the injuries to cornerbacks Alterraun Verner (hamstring) and Rashaan Melvin (ankle), the Bucs brought him back Monday “When we released Anthony, I… Read More »

The cornerbacks are setting up a pretty good battle for playing time during training camp if offseason workouts mean anything. On Tuesday, Danny Gorrer made some eye-popping plays. Earlier today, during the second-day of mandatory workouts for the Tampa Bay Bucs, Rashaan Melvin was the man. Melvin made two picks, including an awesome diving leap over receiver Chris Owusu to end a two-minute drill and grab a win for the defense. “Understanding the game of football,” he said of the… Read More »

The Tampa Bay Bucs promote cornerback Deveron Carr from the practice squad and release fullback Spencer Larsen on Saturday. Not a big deal, right? Well, yes and no. By releasing Spencer Larsen, who was signed earlier this week, this means fullback Erik Lorig, who missed the preseason and opener with a calf injury, is finally healthy and should play tomorrow against New Orleans Saints. The Bucs only keep one fullback on the roster so releasing Larsen is no biggie. But… Read More »

Was Thursday night Cody Grimm’s final stanza with the Tampa Bay Bucs? Will an eye injury keep rookie Mike James (Miami, Ridge Community) off of the 53-man roster? Has receiver David Douglas done enough to earn a spot? Was Rian Lindell’s 50-yard field goal, along with a 45-yard miss by Derek Dimke, the determining factor in the kicking battle? These questions and many more will be answered by 6 p.m. Saturday when teams have to get down to the 53-man… Read More »